I Ching Hexagram Reference

Meanings for each trigram in I-Ching

1. Tch'ien / The Creative

Meaning:
Heaven, in its motion, gives the idea of strength. The superior person, in accordance with this, will nerve their being to ceaseless activity.
Tch'ien represents what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and firm.

43. Kouai / Resolution

Meaning:
The trigram representing heaven, and that for the waters of a marsh mounting above it, form Kouai. The superior person, in accordance with this, bestows emoluments on those below them, and dislike allowing their gifts to accumulate undispensed.
Kouai requires in those who would fulfil its meaning the exhibition of the culprit's guilt in the royal court, and a sincere and earnest appeal for sympathy and support, with a consciousness of the peril involved in cutting off the criminal. They should also make announcement in their own city, and show that it will not be well to have recourse at once to arms. In this way there will be advantage in whatever they shall proceed with.

14. Ta You / Big Strength

Meaning:
The trigram for heaven and that of fire above it form Ta You. The superior person, in accordance with this, represses what is evil and gives distinction to what is good, in sympathy with the excellent Heaven-conferred nature.
Ta You indicates that, under the circumstances which it implies, there will be great progress and success.

34. Ta Tch'ouang / Big Strength

Meaning:
The trigram representing heaven, and above it that for thunder, form Ta Tch'ouang. The superior person, in accordance with this, does not take a step which is not according to propriety.
Ta Tch'ouang indicates that under the conditions which it symbolises it will be advantageous to be firm and correct.

9. Siao Tch'ou / Accumulating Gradually

Meaning:
The trigram representing the sky, and that representing wind moving above it, form Siao Tch'ou. The superior person, in accordance with this, adorns the outward manifestation of their virtue.
Siao Tch'ou indicates that under its conditions there will be progress and success. We see dense clouds, but no rain coming from our borders in the west.

5. Hsu / The Obstacles

Meaning:
The trigram for clouds ascending over that for the sky, form Hsu. The superior person, in accordance with this, eats and drinks, feasts and enjoys themselves as if there were nothing else to employ them.
Hsu intimates that, with the sincerity which is declared in it, there will be brilliant success. With firmness there will be good fortune ; and it will be advantageous to cross the great stream.

26. Ta Tch'ou / The Great Accumulating

Meaning:
The trigram representing a mountain, and in the midst of it that representing heaven, form Ta Tch'ou. The superior person, in accordance with this, remembers the words and deeds of former people, to assist in the accumulation of their virtue.
Under the condition of Ta Tch'ou it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. If its subject does not seek to enjoy their revenues in their own family without taking service at court, there will be good fortune. It will be advantageous for them to cross the great stream.

11. T'ai / Peace, Restful Fluidity

Meaning:
The trigrams for heaven and earth in communication together form T'ai. The sage sovereign, in harmony with this, fashions and completes their regulations after the courses of heaven and earth, and assists the application of the adaptations furnished by them, in order to benefit the people.
In T'ai we see the small gone and the great coming. It indicates that there will be good fortune, with progress and success.

10. Li / Careful Conduct

Meaning:
The trigram representing the sky above, and below it that representing the waters of a marsh, form Li. The superior person, in accordance with this, discriminates between high and low, and gives settlement to the aims of all people.
Li suggests the idea of one treading on the tail of a tiger, which does not bite them. There will be progress and success.

58. Touei / Happyness, The Lake

Meaning:
Two symbols representing the waters of a marsh, one over the other, form Touei. The superior person, in accordance with this, encourages the conversation of friends and the stimulus of their common practice.
Touei intimates that under its conditions there will be progress and attainment, but it will be advantageous to be firm and correct.

38. K'ouei / Opposition

Meaning:
The trigram representing fire above, and that for the waters of a marsh below, form K'ouei. The superior person, in accordance with this, where there is a general agreement, yet admits diversity.
K'ouei indicates that, notwithstanding the condition of things which it denotes, in small matters there will still be good success.

54. Kouei Mei / The Marriageable Maiden

Meaning:
The trigram representing the waters of a marsh, and over it that for thunder, form Kouei Mei. The superior person, in accordance with this, having regard to the far distant end, knows the mischief that may be done at the beginning.
Kouei Mei indicates that under the conditions which it denotes action will be evil, and in no wise advantageous.

61. Tchong Fou / The Interior Truth

Meaning:
The trigram representing the waters of a marsh, and that for wind above it, form Tchong Fou. The superior person, in accordance with this, deliberates about causes of litigations and delays the infliction of death.
Tchong Fou moves even pigs and fish, and leads to good fortune. There will be advantage in crossing the great stream. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.

60. Tchieh / Limitation

Meaning:
The trigram representing a lake, and above it that for water, form Tchieh. The superior person, in accordance with this, constructs their methods of numbering and measurement, and discusses points of virtue and conduct.
Tchieh intimates that under its conditions there will be progress and attainment. But if the regulations which it prescribes be severe and difficult, they cannot be permanent.

41. Soun / Reduction

Meaning:
The trigram representing a mountain, and beneath it that for the waters of a marsh, form Soun. The superior person, in accordance with this, restrains their wrath and controls their desires.
In what is denoted by Soun, if there be sincerity in they who employs it, there will be great good fortune: freedom for error; firmness and correctness that can be maintained; an advantage in every movement that shall be made. In what shall this sincerity in the exercise of Soun be employed? Even in sacrifice, two baskets of grain, though there be nothing else, may be presented.

19. Lin / Approach

Meaning:
The trigram for the waters of a marsh and that for the earth above it form Lin. The superior person, in accordance with this, has their purpose of instruction that is inexhaustible, and which nourishes and supports the people without limit.
Lin indicates that under the conditions supposed in it there will be great progress and success, while it will be advantageous to be firmly correct. In the eighth month there will be evil.

13. Tong Jen / Community

Meaning:
The trigrams for heaven and fire form Tong Jen. The superior person, in accordance with this, distinguishes things according to their kinds and levels.
Tong Jen or 'Community' appears here as we find it in the remote district of the country, indicating progress and success. It will be advantageous to cross the great stream. It will be advantageous to maintain the firm correctness of the superior person.

49. Keu / The Revolution

Meaning:
The trigram representing the waters of a marsh, and that for fire in the midst of them, form Keu. The superior person, in accordance with this, regulates their astronomical calculations, and makes clear the seasons and times.
What takes place as indicated by Keu is believed in only after it has been accomplished. There will be great progress and success. Advantage will come from being firm and correct. In that case occasion for repentance will disappear.

30. Li / Strength and Beauty

Meaning:
The trigram for brightness, repeated, forms Li. The great person, in accordance with this, cultivates more and more their brilliant virtue, and diffuses its brightness over the four quarters of the land.
Li indicates that, in regard to what it denotes, it will be advantageous to be firm and correct, and that thus there will be a free course and success.

55. Fong / Abundance, Fullness

Meaning:
The trigrams representing thunder and lightning combine to form Fong. The superior person, in accordance with this, decides cases of litigation, and apportions punishments with exactness.
Fong intimates progress and development. When a king has reached the point which the name denotes, there is no occasion to be anxious through fear of change. Let them be as the sun at noon.

37. Tchia Jen / The Family

Meaning:
The trigram representing fire, and that for wind coming forth from it, form Tchia Jen. The superior person, in accordance with this, orders their word according to the truth of things, and their conduct so that it is uniformly consistent.
For the realisation of what is taught in Tchia Jen, or for the regulation of the family, what is most advantageous is that the wife be firm and correct.

63. Tchi Tchi / After The Achievement

Meaning:
The trigram representing fire, and that for water above it, form Tchi Tchi. The superior person, in accordance with this, thinks of evil that may come, and beforehand guards against it.
Tchi Tchi intimates progress and success in small matters. There will be advantage in being firm and correct. There has been good fortune in the beginning; there may be disorder in the end.

22. Pi / Elegance

Meaning:
The trigram representing a mountain with that for fire under it form Pi. The superior person, in accordance with this, throws a brilliancy around their various processes of government, but does not dare in a similar way to decide cases of criminal litigation.
Pi indicates that there should be free course in what it denotes. There will be little advantage however if it be allowed to advance and take the lead.

36. Ming Yi / The Darkening of the Light

Meaning:
The trigram representing the earth, and that for the bright sun entering within it, form Ming Yi. The superior person, in accordance with this, conducts their management of people thusly; they show their intelligence by keeping it obscured.
Ming Yi indicates that in the circumstances which it denotes, it will be advantageous to realise the difficulty of the position, and maintain firm correctness.

25. Wou Wang / Integrity

Meaning:
The thunder rolls all under the sky, and to everything there is given its nature, free from all insincerity. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, made their regulations in complete accordance with the seasons, thereby nourishing all things.
Wou Wang indicates great progress and success, while there will be advantage in being firm and correct. If its subject and their action be not correct, they will fall into errors, and it will not be advantageous for them to move in any direction.

17. Souei / Submission to the Duty

Meaning:
The trigram for the waters of a marsh and that for thunder hidden in the midst of it, form Souei. The superior person in accordance with this, when it is getting toward dark, enters their house and rests.
Souei indicates that under its conditions there will be great progress and success. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. There will then be no error.

21. Che Ho / Bite Through

Meaning:
The trigrams representing thunder and lightning form Che Ho. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, framed their penalties with intelligence, and promulgated their laws.
Che Ho indicates successful progress in the condition of things which it supposes. It will be advantageous to use legal constraints.

51. Tchen / The Thunder

Meaning:
The trigram representing thunder, being repeated, forms Tchen. The superior person, in accordance with this, is fearful and apprehensive, cultivates their virtues, and examines their faults.
Tchen gives the intimation of ease and development. When the time of movement which it indicates comes, the subject of the hexagram will be found looking out with apprehension, and yet smiling and talking cheerfully. When the movement like a crash of thunder terrifies all within a hundred miles, they will be like the sincere worshipper who is not startled into letting go their ladle and cup of sacrificial spirits.

42. Yi / Increase

Meaning:
The trigram representing wind and that for thunder form Yi. The superior person, in accordance with this, when they see what is good, moves towards it; and when they see their errors, they turn from them.
Yi indicates that in the state which it denotes there will be advantage in every movement which shall be undertaken, that it will be advantageous even to cross the great stream.

3. T'oun / Difficult Beginnings

Meaning:
The trigram representing clouds and that representing thunder form T'oun. The superior person, in accordance with this, adjusts their measures of government as in sorting the threads of the warp and weft.
T'oun indicates that there can be great progress and success, and the advantage will come from being correct and firm. But any movement in advance should not be lightly undertaken. There will be advantage in appointing feudal princes.

27. I / Nourishment

Meaning:
The trigram representing a mountain, and under it that for thunder, form I. The superior person, in accordance with this, enjoins watchfulness over our words, and the temperate regulation of our eating and drinking.
I indicates that with firm correctness there will be good fortune in what is denoted by it. We must look at what we are seeking to nourish, and by the exercise of our thoughts seek for the proper nourishment.

24. Fou / The Return, Amendment

Meaning:
The trigram representing the earth, and that for thunder in the midst of it, form Fou. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, on the day of the winter solstice, shut the gates of the passes from one state to another, so that the travelling merchants could not then pursue their journeys, nor the princes go on with the inspection of their states.
Fou indicates that where will be free course and progress in what it denotes; the subject of it finds no one to distress them in their exits and entrances; friends come to them, and no error is committed. They will return and repeat their proper course. In seven days comes their return. There will be advantage in whatever direction movement is made.

44. Keou / Contacting

Meaning:
The trigram representing wind, and that for the sky above it, form Keou. The sovereign, in accordance with this, delivers their charges, and promulgates their announcements throughout the four quarters of the kingdom.
Keou shows a subordinate who is bold and strong. It will not be good to partner such a subordinate.

28. Ta Kouo / Excess

Meaning:
The trigram representing trees, hidden beneath that for the waters of a marsh, form Ta Kouo. The superior person, in accordance with this, stands up alone and has no fear, and stays retired from the world without regret.
Ta Kouo suggest to us a beam that is weak. There will be advantage in moving under these conditions in any directions whatever; there will be success.

50. Ting / The Cauldron

Meaning:
The trigram representing wood, and above it that for fire, form Ting. The superior person, in accordance with this, keeps their every position correct, and maintains secure the appointment of Heaven.
Ting gives the intimation of great progress and success.

32. Hong / The Long Enduring

Meaning:
The trigram representing thunder and that for wind form Hong. The superior person, in accordance with this, stands firm, and does not change their method of operation.
Hong indicates successful progress and no error in what it denotes. But the advantage will come from being firm and correct; and movement in any direction whatever will be advantageous.

57. Hsuan / Willing Submission, The Wind

Meaning:
The two trigrams representing wind, following each other, form Hsuan. The superior person, in accordance with this, reiterates their orders, and secures the practice of their affairs.
Hsuan intimates that under the conditions which it denotes there will be some little attainment and progress. There will be advantage in movement onward in whatever direction. It will be advantageous also to see the great person.

48. Tsing / A Well

Meaning:
The trigram representing wood, and above it that for water, form Tsing. The superior person, in accordance with this, comforts the people, and stimulates them to mutual helpfulness.
Looking at Tsing, we think of how the site of a town may be changed, while the fashion of its wells undergoes no changes. The water of a well never disappears and never receives any great increase, and those who come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If the drawing has nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil.

18. Kou / Toward Corruption

Meaning:
The trigram for a mountain, and below it that for wind, form Kou. The superior person, in accordance with this, nourishes their own virtue and helps the people.
Kou indicates great progress and success to them who deals properly with the condition represented by it. There will be advantage in efforts like that of crossing the great stream. One should weigh well, however, the events of three days before the turning point, and those to be done three days after it.

46. Cheng / Promotion

Meaning:
The trigram representing wood, and that for the earth with the wood growing in the midst of it, form Cheng. The superior person, in accordance with this, pays careful attention to their virtue, and accumulates the small developments of it until it is high and great.
Cheng indicates that under its conditions there will be great progress and success. Seeking by the qualities implied meet with the great person, its subject need have no anxiety. Advance to the south will be fortunate.

6. Song / The Conflict

Meaning:
The trigram representing heaven and that representing water, moving away from each other, form Song. The superior person, in accordance with this, in the transaction of affairs takes good counsel about their first steps.
Song intimates how, though there is sincerity in one's contention, they will meet with opposition and obstruction; but if they cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune, while, if they must prosecute the contention to the bitter end, there will be evil. It will be advantageous to see the great person; it will not be advantageous to cross the great stream.

47. K'oun / Weariness

Meaning:
The trigram representing a marsh, and below it for a defile, which has drained the other dry so that there is no water in it, form K'oun. The superior person, in accordance with this, will sacrifice their life in order to carry out their purpose.
In the condition denoted by K'oun there may yet be progress and success. For the firm and correct, the really great person, there will be good fortune. They will fall into no error. If they make speeches, their words cannot be made good.

64. Wei Tchi / Before The Achievement

Meaning:
The trigram representing water, and that for fire above it, form Wei Tchi. The superior person, in accordance with this, carefully discriminates among the qualities of things, and the different positions they naturally occupy.
Wei Tchi intimates progress and success in the circumstances which it implies. We see a young fox that has nearly crossed the stream, when its tail gets immersed. There will be no advantage in any way.

40. Tchieh / The Release, The Outcome

Meaning:
The trigram representing thunder and that for rain, with these phenomena in a state of manifestation, form Tchieh. The superior person, in accordance with this, forgives errors, and deals gently with crimes.
In the state indicated by Tchieh advantage will be found in the south-west. If no further operations are called for, there will be good fortune in coming back to the earlier conditions and good fortune in the early progression of them.

59. Houan / The Dissolution, The Scattering

Meaning:
The trigram representing water, and that for wind moving above the water, form Houan. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, presented offerings to the deity and established the ancestral temple.
Houan intimates that under its conditions there will be progress and success. The king goes to their ancestral temple; and it will be advantageous to cross the great stream. It will be advantageous to be firm and correct.

29. K'an / The Abyss, Danger

Meaning:
The representation of water flowing on continuously forms the repeated K'an. The superior person, in accordance with this, maintains constantly the virtue of their heart and the integrity of their conduct, and practises the business of instruction.
K'an, here repeated, shows the possession of sincerity, though which the mind is penetrating. Action in accordance with this will be of high value.

4. Mong / The Immature

Meaning:
The trigram representing a mountain, and beneath it that for a spring issuing forth, form Mong. The superior person, in accordance with this, strives to be resolute in their conduct and nourishes their virtue.
Mong indicates that there will be progress and success. I do not go and seek the youthful and inexperienced, but they come and seek me. When they show the sincerity that marks the first recourse to divination, I instruct them. If they apply a second and third time, that is troublesome; and I do not instruct the troublesome. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.

7. Cheu / The Army

Meaning:
The trigram representing the earth and in the midst of it that representing water, form Cheu. The superior person, in accordance with this, nourishes and educates the people, and collects from among them the multitude of the armies.
Cheu indicates how, in the case which it purposes, with firmness and correctness, and a leader of age and experience, there will be good fortune and no error.

33. Toun / Withdrawal

Meaning:
The trigram representing the sky, and below it that for a mountain, form Toun. The superior person, in accordance with this, keeps small people at distance, not showing that they dislike them, except by their own dignified gravity.
Toun indicates successful progress in its circumstances. To a small extent it will still be advantageous to be firm and correct.

31. Hsien / Attraction

Meaning:
The trigram representing a mountain, and above it that for the waters of a marsh, form Hsien. The superior person, in accordance with this, keeps their mind free from pre-occupations, and open to receive the influence of others.
Hsien indicates that, on the fulfilment of the conditions implied in it, there will be a free course and success. Its advantage will depend on being firm and correct, as in marrying suitably. There will be good fortune.

56. Lu / The Traveler

Meaning:
The trigram representing a mountain, and above it that for fire, form Lu. The superior person, in accordance with this, exerts their wisdom and caution in the use of punishments and in not allowing litigations to continue.
Lu intimates that in the condition which it denotes there may be some little attainment and progress. If the stranger or traveller be firm and correct as they ought to be, there will be good fortune.

62. Siao Kouo / The Small Get By

Meaning:
The trigram representing a hill, and that for thunder above it, form Siao Kouo. The superior person, in accordance with this, in their conduct exceeds in humility, in mourning exceeds in sorrow, and their expenditure exceeds in economy.
Siao Kouo indicates that in the circumstances which it implies there will be progress and attainment, but it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. What it denotes may be done in small affairs, but not in great affairs. It is like the notes that come down from a bird on the wing; to descend is better than to ascend. There will in this way be great good fortune.

53. Tchien / Gradual Progress

Meaning:
The trigram representing a mountain, and above it that for a tree, form Tchien. The superior person, in accordance with this, attains to and maintains their extraordinary virtue, and makes the manners of the people good.
Tchien suggest to us the marriage of a young lady, and the good fortune attending it. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.

39. Tch'ien / Trouble

Meaning:
The trigram representing a mountain, and above it that for water, form Tch'ien. The superior person, in accordance with this, turns round and examines themself, and cultivates their virtue.
In the state indicated by Tch'ien advantage will be found in the south-west, and the contrary in the north-east. It will be advantageous also to meet with the great person. In these circumstances, with firmness and correctness, if some operation be called for, there will be good fortune.

52. Ken / The Stilling, The Mountain

Meaning:
Two trigrams representing a mountain, one over the other, form Ken. The superior person, in accordance with this, does not go in their thoughts beyond the duties of the position in which they are.
When one's resting is like that of the back, and they lose all consciousness of self; when they walk in their courtyard, and do not see any of the persons in it, there will be no error.

15. Tchien / Modesty

Meaning:
The trigram for the earth and that of a mountain in the midst of it form Tchien. The superior person, in accordance with this, diminishes what is excessive in their being, and improves where there is any defect, bringing about an equality, according to the nature of the case, in their treatment of themselves and others.
Tchien indicates progress and success. The superior person, being humble as it implies, will have a good issue from their understandings.

12. P'i / Stagnation, Obstruction

Meaning:
The trigrams of heaven and earth, not in intercommunication, form P'i. The superior person, in accordance with this, restrains the manifestation of their virtue, and avoids the calamities that threaten them. There is no opportunity of conferring on them the glory of reward in their employment.
In P'i there is the want of good understanding between people at different levels of development, and its indication is unfavourable to the firm and correct course of the superior person. We see in it the great gone and the small comming.

45. Ts'ouei / The Gathering

Meaning:
The trigram representing the earth, and that for the waters of a marsh raised above it, form Ts'ouei. The superior person, in accordance with this, has their weapons of war put in good repair, to be prepared against unforeseen contingencies.
In the state denoted by Ts'ouei, the king will repair to their ancestral temple. It will be advantageous also to meet with the great person; and then there will be progress and success, though the advantage must come through firm correctness. The use of great victims will conduce to good fortune: and in whatever direction movement is made, it will be advantageous.

35. Tchin / Progress

Meaning:
The trigram representing the earth, and that for the bright sun coming forth above it, form Tchin. The superior person, according to this, gives themself to making more brilliant their bright virtue.
In Tchin we see a prince who secures the tranquillity of the people presented in reward with numerous horses by the king, and three times in a day received at interviews.

16. Yu / Majesty in Connection

Meaning:
The trigrams for the earth, and thunder issuing from it with its crashing noise, form Yu. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, composed their music and did honour to virtue, presenting it especially and most grandly to the supreme being, when they associated with it at the service of their highest ancestor and their parents.
Yu indicates that, in the state which it implies, feudal princes may be set up, and the hosts put in motion, with advantage.

20. Kouan / Looking Down

Meaning:
The trigrams representing the earth, and that for wind moving above it, form Kouan. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, examined the different regions of the kingdom, to see the ways of the people, and set forth their instructions.
Kouan shows how they whom it represents should be like the worshipper who has washed their hands, but not yet presented their offering; with sincerity and appearance of dignity, commanding reverent regard.

8. Pi / Concord

Meaning:
The trigram representing the earth, and over it that representing water, form Pi. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, established the various states and maintained an affectionate relation to their leaders.
Pi indicates that under the conditions which it supposes, there is good fortune. But let the principal party intended in it re-examine themselves, as if by divination, even if their virtue is great, unremitting, and firm. If it be so, there will be no error. Those who have no rest will then come to them; and with those who are too late in coming it will go ill.

23. Po / Bursting

Meaning:
The trigram representing the earth, and above it that for a mountain which adheres to the earth, form Po. Superiors, in accordance with this, seek to strengthen those below them, to secure the peace and stability of their own position.
Po indicates that in the state which it symbolises it will not be advantageous to make a movement in any direction whatever.

2. Koun / The Receptive

Meaning:
The capacity and sustaining power of the earth is what is denoted by Koun. The superior person, in accordance with this, supports people and things with their great virtue.
Koun represents what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and having the firmness of a mare. When the superior person here denoted has to make any movement, if they take the initiative, they will go astray ; if they follow, they will find their proper lord. The advantage will be seen in their making friends in the south-west, and losing friends in the north-east. If they rest in correctness and firmness, there will be good fortune.

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